What I took from week 2 is that game-based learning is alive and well in today's classroom. By doing the in-class exercise in which we were able to explore the 3D Game Lab system, I was able to learn more about game-based learning. I must admit, this assignment seemed pretty intimidating at first. However, once I got in to it, it was actually fun.
While growing up in the era that I grew up in, games were left outside of the classroom. However, what I've noticed while going through this program at APU, kids really get excited about learning when they are permitted to use technology. The teachers that I have worked with and the ones that I have observed, never have a problem getting kids motivated when they are able to use computers. It is really easy to get them to do math and read books (stuff they usually dislike). It reminds me of the old Mary Poppins lyric, "just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down."
As a parent, I have noticed how my daughter's critical thinking skills have improved greatly over time due to game-based learning (Minecraft). Therefore, based on that fact alone, I hope to use game-based learning in my classroom as often as I can. Moreover, I hope to have the technological resources necessary to offer game-based learning activities to my students.
While growing up in the era that I grew up in, games were left outside of the classroom. However, what I've noticed while going through this program at APU, kids really get excited about learning when they are permitted to use technology. The teachers that I have worked with and the ones that I have observed, never have a problem getting kids motivated when they are able to use computers. It is really easy to get them to do math and read books (stuff they usually dislike). It reminds me of the old Mary Poppins lyric, "just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down."
As a parent, I have noticed how my daughter's critical thinking skills have improved greatly over time due to game-based learning (Minecraft). Therefore, based on that fact alone, I hope to use game-based learning in my classroom as often as I can. Moreover, I hope to have the technological resources necessary to offer game-based learning activities to my students.